Heterogeneous wireless network for traveler information

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Present Invention

The present invention generally relates to field of wireless communication systems and more particularly to a network of traveling vehicles adapted to exchange network traveling information with each other.

2. History of Related Art

The increasing prevalence of electronic devices such as personal data administrators (PDAs), laptop computers, global positioning system, and wireless devices reflects the enormous demand for mobile data services. Despite this demand, however, an integrated solution enabling travelers to identify one another and exchange information relevant to travel itself is currently lacking. In the area of air travel for example, commercial airplanes currently lack an adequate method with which to identify and communicate with one another. Pilot reports and other important travel information are still largely generated manually and distributed through an intermediary such as an air traffic controller or flight service station on the ground. With respect to commercial trucking, the limitations of systems such as citizen band radios are readily apparent. Such systems provide only a limited ability for the driver of one vehicle to communicate with the driver of another vehicle that is in close proximity. Data transmission is not enabled with such a system and the ability to identify other travelers is limited to number of travelers that respond to a particular request. With respect to passenger automobile travel, the ability to identify readily and communicate with other drivers is virtually non-existent. While a cellular or PCS telephone can be used to communicate with selected travelers (i.e., the travelers whose mobile phone number is known), there is no present solution that enables one to determine easily the number and location of vehicles on the road. It would be desirable, therefore, to implement a network that facilitates the gathering and distribution of travel information to enable travelers of all types to determine the identify or existence of other travelers in their vicinity and to communicate with these travelers thereby resulting in more efficient, safe, and comfortable travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems identified above are in large part addressed by a wireless network and an associated communication device according to the present invention. The communication device is typically mounted in a first vehicle and includes a location device, such as a global positioning system receiver, suitable for determining the first vehicle's geographic position, a wireless transceiver enabled to communicate with a wireless transceiver of a second vehicle within a wireless range of the first vehicle, and a processor connected to the wireless transceiver and the location device. The processor is able to use the wireless transceiver and the location device to broadcast travel information of the first vehicle and to identify the presence of the second vehicle. The processor may also be enabled to display the position of the second vehicle on a display screen of the communication device or to enable the first vehicle to communicate with the second vehicle. The communication device may be configure to permit a user of the first vehicle, by clicking on an image of the second vehicle on the display screen, to obtain identification information of the second vehicle or to initiate a communication with the second vehicle. The communication with the traveler in the second vehicle may comprise a voice communication or an electronic message such as an email message. The first vehicle may include one or more environmental sensors connected to the processor that permit the communication device to broadcast weather information to other vehicle in the vicinity. The travel information exchanged among the vehicle may be organized into categories enabling the traveler to restrict information exchange based on one or more of the categories. The restriction criteria may include route criteria, transportation class criteria, and identity criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of a wireless network for disseminating travel information according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the wireless network of the present invention implemented in a two dimensional application;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the wireless network of the present invention implemented in a three dimensional application;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative of a display screen suitable for use in one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a conceptual depiction of a router database for storing travel information according to the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts the basic elements of a network <b>100</b> that enables travelers to identify and communicate with other travelers within a limited proximity of each other. In the depicted embodiment, network <b>100</b> includes a first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>and a second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b </i>(generically or collectively referred to herein as vehicle(s) <b>102</b>). Each vehicle <b>102</b> is equipped with a communication device <b>101</b> that includes a processor <b>104</b>, a location device <b>106</b>, and a wireless transceiver <b>108</b>. Processor <b>104</b> in conjunction with wireless transceiver <b>108</b> and location device <b>106</b>, is enabled to identify the presence of other vehicles such as second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b </i>and to broadcast travel information to other vehicles <b>102</b> within range of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a. </i>

The depicted embodiment of network <b>100</b> includes a router <b>110</b> configured to communicate via radio frequency or other suitable technology with wireless transceivers <b>108</b> within a limited range of router <b>110</b>. Each router <b>110</b> gathers information from one or more vehicles <b>102</b> within its range and stores the information in a router database <b>111</b>, which is local to its corresponding router. Router <b>110</b> is able to broadcast the information stored in database <b>111</b> to other vehicles <b>102</b>. By utilizing the localized database <b>111</b>, network <b>100</b> avoids overhead associated with maintaining all data in a centralized database. For example, routers <b>110</b> from different regions do not have to compete with each for access to a centralized database. Each router <b>110</b> maintains information on the vehicles within its wireless region. Typically, the information gathered and distributed by router <b>110</b> is travel information that enables travelers that are within proximity of each other to identify each other and exchange travel information. The travel information may indicate each traveler's identity, location, direction, speed, and vehicle class (i.e., automobile, ship, airplane, etc.). Referring to FIG. 5, a representation of database <b>111</b> is presented. In this representation, database <b>111</b> maintains a log of travel information for each vehicle <b>102</b> within its range. In the depicted embodiment, router <b>110</b> provides a datestamp for each vehicle to enable a data aging mechanism by which router <b>110</b> can discard information from database <b>111</b>. As an example, router <b>110</b> may be enabled to discard information corresponding to a particular vehicle <b>102</b> if the router can affirmatively determine that the vehicle has left the vicinity of router <b>110</b> or when router <b>110</b> cannot verify the presence of a vehicle and the information in database <b>111</b> corresponding to the vehicle is older than a predetermined age limit.

Each vehicle <b>102</b> may be able to restrict selectively the type of information that it receives and transmits with router <b>110</b> thereby enabling each traveler to customize the information it exchanges with other vehicles <b>102</b>.

Returning to FIG. 1, the communication devices <b>101</b> within a wireless range of router <b>110</b>, together with router <b>110</b> itself, form a wireless network <b>100</b> enabling intercommunication among the travelers connected to the network. Each communication device <b>101</b> and router <b>110</b> may comply with a wireless protocol or wireless network technology that defines the physical and electrical characteristics of the system. Thus, network <b>100</b> may employ an internet (TCP/IP) type protocol supporting wireless IP-based access and information transfer, or a recognized wireless standard such as the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN Standard, or other suitable wireless network technology. If network <b>100</b> is implemented with a particular standard or protocol that limits the range across which router <b>110</b> is permitted to transmit data, a particular geographic region may be serviced by multiple routers <b>110</b> that are physically located in relationship to each other to permit communication with a vehicle <b>102</b> traveling anywhere in the particular region. In this embodiment, the multiple routers corresponding to a particular region may share a common localized database <b>111</b>. In contrast, another embodiment of network <b>100</b> may use a router <b>110</b>, such as a satellite that is capable of monitoring vehicles over a wide range. In this embodiment, as discussed further below with respect to FIG. 3, a single router <b>110</b> may serve multiple geographic regions.

In one embodiment, location device <b>106</b> is implemented as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to indicate its geographic position (location) and altitude. The GPS is a network of 24 satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location within approximately 100 to 10 meters. The GPS satellites orbit the Earth in precise orbits. The satellites are positioned such that at least four of the satellites are above the horizon any point on Earth at all times. Each GPS satellite includes a computer, an atomic clock, and a radio. Because the satellite orbits are well defined and the atomic clocks are extremely accurate, each satellite can continuously broadcast its changing position and time. Each GPS receiver on the ground contain a computer that “triangulates” its own position by getting bearings from three satellites typically within 100 meters. If a fourth satellite is “visible,” the receiver can further determine altitude. Most modem GPS receivers are also able to calculate speed, direction of travel, and give estimated times of arrival to specified destinations. In addition, GPS receivers can typically store a receiver's track by periodically storing the receiver's position in its internal memory. The receiver can then display the path taken by the receiver.

In one embodiment, communication device <b>101</b> may include a display screen <b>109</b> to display graphical representations of travel information received from router <b>110</b>. In one embodiment, for example, processor <b>104</b> is configured to display the location of other vehicles, such as second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b</i>, on display screen <b>109</b> relative to the position of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a</i>. Referring to FIG. 4, a representation of an exemplary display screen <b>109</b> is presented. In this embodiment, the position of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>is represented by an icon <b>402</b><i>a </i>and is maintained at the center of display screen <b>109</b>. The direction of travel of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>is indicated by the arrow adjacent to icon <b>402</b><i>a</i>. (Typically, this arrow is not present on the display screen and, by convention, the display screen is always oriented such that first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>is moving towards the top edge of display screen <b>109</b>). Icons <b>402</b><i>b</i>, <b>402</b><i>c</i>, and <b>402</b><i>d </i>(generically or collectively referred to as icon(s) <b>402</b>) representing other vehicles within range of first vehicle <b>402</b><i>a </i>are displayed above, left of, and below the center to indicate vehicles that are (respectively) in front of, left of, and behind of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a</i>. Display screen <b>109</b> may further indicate compass points <b>408</b>, typically at the perimeter of display screen <b>109</b>, to impart a fixed orientation to the display. In addition, an indication of scale, such as the variable length bar <b>410</b> of FIG. 4 that represents a fixed distance may be maintained on display screen <b>109</b>.

Processor <b>104</b> may control display screen <b>109</b> with a graphical user interface that enables a traveler to interact directly with display screen <b>109</b>. As an example, processor <b>104</b> of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>may be configured to obtain information about a second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b </i>by activating an icon representing second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The information obtained in this manner may include identity information, vehicle class information, as well as location, direction of travel, and distance information. The identity information may include name of the vehicles owner, a license plate or vehicle ID number (VIN), a driver's license number or any other suitable identification information. The identification information may be used in an application of network <b>100</b> in which drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles are required to maintain an electronic registration while operating the vehicle. Such as system of registration is consistent with the concept of driving as a privilege granted by the state and would provide a wealth of useful information to law enforcement agencies. The depicted example of display screen <b>109</b> illustrates the display of such information for vehicles <b>102</b><i>b</i>, <b>102</b><i>c</i>, and <b>102</b><i>d </i>(represented by icons <b>402</b><i>b</i>, <b>402</b><i>c</i>, and <b>402</b><i>d </i>respectively). Communication device <b>101</b> and processor <b>104</b> may be further configured to enable a traveler in first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>to initiate direct (point-to-point) communication with second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b</i>. In one embodiment, this facility may be invoked when a traveler in first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>activates icon <b>402</b><i>b </i>on display screen <b>109</b> representing second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The point-to-point communication may be a voice communication enabling a traveler in first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>to speak with a traveler in second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b</i>. In this embodiment, first and second vehicles <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>may exchange frequency information (via router <b>110</b>) thereby enabling direct communications between the two vehicles. A vehicle's current communication frequency could be displayed on the display screen <b>109</b> to facilitate this direct radio communication. In an embodiment in which network <b>100</b> is an IP-based network, the point-to-point communication may be in the form of a digital communication such as an email message. The various features of network <b>100</b> may be accessed via a command bar <b>404</b> of display screen <b>109</b>. In the embodiment of display screen <b>109</b> depicted in FIG. 4, command bar includes a variety of command buttons <b>406</b><i>a </i>through <b>406</b><i>f </i>(command button(s) <b>406</b>) dedicated for various features of network <b>100</b> including initiation of a voice communication (command button <b>406</b><i>a</i>), intimation of a data communication or email message (<b>406</b><i>b</i>), initiation of a data exchange restriction based on roadway or route (<b>406</b><i>c</i>), initiation of a data exchange restriction based on vehicle class <b>406</b><i>d</i>, initiation of a data exchange restriction to selected other vehicles <b>102</b><i>e</i>, and a change of scale feature (<b>406</b><i>f</i>).

Turning now to FIG. 2, an illustration of an implementation of network <b>100</b> suitable for network travelers on the ground is presented. In FIG. 2, first and second vehicles <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>are depicted traveling on a first roadway <b>201</b><i>a</i>, a third vehicle <b>102</b><i>c </i>is depicted traveling on a second roadway <b>201</b><i>b</i>, and a fourth vehicle <b>102</b><i>d </i>is depicted without a corresponding roadway. In this embodiment, router <b>110</b> includes information about the geographic area serviced by router <b>110</b>. More specifically, router <b>110</b> is able to correlate geographic locations within its range to certain features such as major roadways and landmarks. In such an embodiment, the information communicated or broadcast to each vehicle <b>102</b> in the vicinity of router <b>110</b> may include roadway information enabling vehicles <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>to determine that they were traveling along the same roadway. In one embodiment, the communication device <b>101</b> of each vehicle <b>102</b> may have a restriction feature enabling a vehicle to receive travel information from (or distribute travel information to) only selected other travelers. In embodiments in which roadway information is provided to each vehicle <b>102</b>, a traveler may restrict information exchange to only those travelers on the same roadway. If first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>restricted information exchange to travelers on the same roadway, for example, the display screen <b>109</b> of first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>would indicate the presence of second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b </i>(which is on the same road <b>102</b><i>a </i>as first vehicle <b>102</b><i>a</i>), but would not indicate the presence of third vehicle <b>102</b><i>c </i>or fourth vehicle <b>102</b><i>d</i>. The correlation between geographic location and roadways contemplated in this embodiment might be suitably implemented with a look up table in router <b>110</b> that contained a series of geographic data points for each roadway. Using the look up table and suitable interpolation techniques, router <b>110</b> would be able to associate specific geographic locations received with specific roadways.

Vehicles <b>102</b> may be passenger automobiles, commercial land vehicles such as trucks or trains, boats or ships, as well as airplanes. Typically, the information provided to router <b>110</b> includes vehicle class information that enables a traveler to exchange information selectively with only those of the same class. In addition, each vehicle may belong to multiple vehicle classes. A passenger automobile might belong, for example, to a passenger automobile class as well as a broader class such as a land vehicle class thereby enabling each vehicle to customize the class of vehicles with which the traveler exchanges information. Regardless of the vehicle class, network <b>100</b> and communication devices <b>101</b> enable travelers to identify other travelers within their immediate vicinity (i.e., within their wireless range) and to exchange precise location and direction information. Information stored in routers <b>110</b> may be updated on a real time basis to provide changing navigation information. With respect to land travelers, for example, routers <b>110</b> may be periodically updated with road construction information, traffic jam information, and other information indicating less than favorable traveling conditions. With respect to boats and ships, router <b>110</b> may contain navigation instructions that would enable boats and ships to traverse dangerous channels and obstacles.

In the case of car and trucks, network <b>100</b>, in addition to enabling vehicles <b>102</b> to identify each other within their vicinity and to exchange precise location and direction information, might include various other features such as emergency vehicle identification, accident witness logs, and driver registration features. In one embodiment, router <b>110</b> is enabled to identify emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire vehicles and broadcast the presence of these vehicles to traveler vehicles <b>102</b>. Upon detecting emergency vehicle information from router <b>110</b>, processor <b>104</b> could display the presence of an approaching emergency vehicle on display screen <b>109</b> with a distinctive icon or other symbol that readily identifies the vehicle as an emergency vehicle. In one embodiment, for example, emergency vehicles are displayed on display screen <b>109</b> in a unique color such as red that rapidly conveys emergency vehicle status to the driver of vehicle <b>102</b><i>a</i>. Another feature especially suited for automobiles and trucks is the vehicle witness log feature, which generates a list or log of all vehicles within a specified range of the requesting vehicle's range upon request. As its name implies, the vehicle witness log feature might beneficially enable a vehicle to generate a list of vehicles that were in the immediate vicinity of an accident or other notable event. Using this feature of communication device <b>101</b> and network <b>100</b>, a traveler could rapidly generate a detailed log of vehicles in the vicinity following an accident. The log could include vehicle identification, location, and direction information as well as time of day information. Such a log could be stored in a non-volatile memory portion (not explicitly depicted) of processor <b>104</b> for subsequent retrieval. In one embodiment, the vehicle witness log could be initiated by traveler request by selecting from an appropriate icon or menu on display screen <b>109</b>. In another embodiment, the vehicle witness log could be initiated automatically upon detecting a specified occurrence. As an example, the activation of supplemental restraints (airbags) could automatically trigger a request for a vehicle log.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an illustration of a network <b>100</b> optimized for an air travel application is depicted. In this embodiment, each vehicle <b>102</b> represents an airplane or other flying vehicle. First vehicle <b>102</b><i>a </i>and second vehicle <b>102</b><i>b </i>are shown in a first vector airway <b>302</b><i>a </i>while a third vehicle <b>102</b><i>c </i>is shown in a second vector airway <b>302</b><i>b </i>and a fourth vehicle <b>104</b><i>d </i>is shown as not within a specified airway. In this embodiment, network <b>100</b> contemplates a mechanism by which air vehicles could manage their own air space without regard to their proximity to air traffic control or flight service station facilities. Using their communication devices <b>101</b> and a suitable router <b>110</b>, each plane could identify and communicate with other planes within its immediate air space. Because conventional base station type routers suitable for use in land based applications of network <b>100</b> do not operate at altitudes significantly above the altitude of the base station itself, the routers <b>110</b> of the embodiment of network <b>100</b> depicted in FIG. 3 would be implemented with satellite technology. Similar to the routers <b>110</b> depicted in FIG. <b>1</b> and FIG. 2, the satellite router <b>110</b> of FIG. 3 would typically include a localized database (not depicted) where the satellite maintains the vehicle information necessary to implement network <b>100</b>. Depending on the capabilities of the satellite, a single satellite router could handle multiple geographic regions. In such an embodiment, the satellite router database would typically be parsed in sub-databases corresponding to each geographic region. Preferably, the database or databases corresponding to each satellite router would including vector airway information that would enable router <b>110</b> to correlate geographic positions and altitudes with corresponding vector airways. In this embodiment, each vehicle <b>102</b> may include facilities for restricting the travel information it receives from router <b>110</b> to information for other vehicles <b>102</b> within the same vector airway <b>302</b>. In an embodiment in which the flying vehicles <b>102</b> of FIG. 3 include on-board computers and environmental sensors, processor <b>104</b> may be configured to assemble periodic pilot reports (PIREPS) and transmit the PIREPS to satellite router <b>110</b>. Satellite router <b>110</b> could the broadcast these PIREPS to other vehicles <b>102</b> flying the same vector airway <b>302</b>. In this manner, network <b>100</b> would enable the widespread and automatic distribution of flight information on a real time basis to improve the comfort and safety of the flight.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention contemplates a wireless network for exchanging travel related information. It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described in the detailed description and the drawings are to be taken merely as presently preferred examples. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted broadly to embrace all the variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed.